It really is true, skin
in your thirties can be better than ever with a well-designed skin care routine
to combat the natural changes.

Frequently people take
their regime more seriously in their 30s and a consistent, simple approach is
ideal. The skin is typically still radiant and a few targeted products can really
help to repair sun damage, break-outs and other imperfections like dark circles
and redness. Harsher, ‘quick fix’ products should be avoided and a well thought
out combination of anti-inflammatory and barrier repair products are essential
in enhancing the natural protective functions of the skin, whilst clearing
pores, smoothing the texture and removing fine lines.

The key is to maximise
the appearance of the good areas and prevent future damage to minimise visible
ageing. In order to reveal naturally radiant, beautiful skin, remember these
key points: To start – keep it simple, clean the skin well using a gentle
cleanser that incorporates a natural toner, this will prepare your skin without
stripping away the necessary healthy balance of oils. For your ‘main course’ be consistent, find
something that works and stick with it – do this by consulting a specialist,
not by dabbling with ‘celebratory endorsed trends’.

And finally – for your
dessert, apply a renewal product and then a SPF to bind to the skin before
make-up (if you wear it). All of this should take no longer than 5-10 minutes
in the morning, perfect to fit in with work and family life.

Find a skin specialist
near you and treat yourself to the best skin you’ve ever had.

We all know that we
should wear sunscreen, but sometimes the choice of products seems utterly
bamboozling, and the prices vary hugely. Sunscreen should really be a part of
every skin care regime and selecting one with a broad spectrum that protects
against UVA and UVB is crucial. The ingredients are controlled by the FDA in
order to maintain high standards and act effectively. They do this by protecting
against premature ageing, reducing the risk of skin cancer, decreasing
inflammation and providing a non-irritating physical, chemical and biological
barrier against ambient UV light.

Other important
characteristics may be water resistance and the degree of sun protection
offered (SPF), normally over 25 is adequate with regular re-application. If the
sunscreen binds to the skin effectively, it can also act to repair any existing
damage, thus increasing the degree of protection. Natural botanical ingredients
can help to produce a smooth, shear coverage without the unpleasant sunscreen
odour and white/oily appearance that can be associated with some of the
thicker, greasy formulations.

It is best to apply
sunscreen around 30 minutes before exposure, and always staggered with other
products/make-up to allow it to bind successfully to the skin. If you feel that
your sunscreen in addition to your other skin regime products are too ‘heavy’
when all applied during the day, use your non-sun protecting products at night,
this has the added benefit of allowing them longer to act in the absence of
make-up.

During our late
thirties and early forties many of us start to notice subtle changes to our
skin. These can include; an increase in fine lines and wrinkles,
hyper-pigmentation (age spots), dry patches on the skin, loss of elasticity,
crow’s feet around the eyes and general dullness. Damage accumulates from years of sun
exposure, hormone fluctuations, weight changes, poor skincare routines and
diet/exercise regimes.

Key target strategies
to improve the skin include; reducing inflammation, strengthening the skin
barrier, encouraging cell turnover for improved clarity and texture. Some
excellent preventative methods can also be employed to hinder future ageing and
clear pores of dead skin cells and other impurities.

Your skin specialist
will be able to suggest specific products for your own particular needs i.e.
retinol to reduce expression lines, formulated serum for a natural eye-lift, a
barrier shield with sun protection to improve pigmentation.

A combination of a
range of specific botanical (natural vegetable and/or plant derived) products
are also very popular as they tend to be suitable for a wide range of skin
types and give prolonged results with less risk of recurrence.

A little knowledge can
give us phenomenal power when it comes to our bodies and looking our absolute
best. Stretch marks can really affect some people’s confidence, but they can be
improved, and in some cases become invisible, by reversing the atrophy
(weakened, ‘shrivelled’ skin), repairing damaged/depleted collagen and calm the
associated inflammation.

During the summer
months we can also suffer from flare-ups of body acne, open pores, keratosis
pilaris (red ‘bumps’ normally at the tops of the arms and/or legs and buttocks).

Products that contain
ceramides, plant and fruit extracts, can all assist skin repair, whilst
simultaneously giving anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing benefits. These give
the appearance and feel of increased firmness by stimulating collagen and
elastin, plus reduce excess pigment that can age the face, hands and decollate.

Remember that skin is
the body’s largest organ and the concentration of oil glands and follicles vary
dramatically from the face, to the torso and the limbs.

Ask your skin
specialist to recommend a product containing the correct essential oils with
the appropriate antimicrobial, antifungal and hydrating properties for the
area(s) that concern you. Some of them can even assist with conditions such as
eczema, psoriasis. Many of these are ideally applied at night, and by the
morning you will notice an improvement, what an ideal way to start the day!

The delicate skin on
the lips can actually reveal someone’s natural age earlier than other areas.
Even unwanted skin anomalies such as pigmentation and fine lines can become
accentuated around the mouth area, as it is somewhere that we naturally focus
on during conversation. A range of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and
barrier repair technology developed products can fortify the lip area. They do
this by providing natural (botanical) assistive lipids derived from apples,
dates, avocado and peppermint. These hydrate the area, assist with collagen,
elastin, firmness and skin repair. This, in turn, decreases the natural ‘thinning’
of the skin on the lips, which can be particularly noticeable in women due to
the higher percentage decrease in collagen production with age.

The lips also have less
of the natural oils and lipids than the rest of the body, meaning that they are
more susceptible to the evaporation of moisture. This leads directly to
dryness, cracking and wrinkling. By applying lip balm continuously (to try and
counter this) throughout the day can also pose problems as it can attract a build-up
of bacteria and limits the natural turnover of dead skin cells. The additional
benefit of soft-focus technology helps to diffuse the light, so that visible
lines become less noticeable immediately. As ever, the best course of action is
to speak to your skin specialist, who will be able to recommend a product that
best fits your areas of concern, lifestyle and budget.

Many women can
experience new challenges for their skin approaching and post-menopause due to
a reduction in oestrogen. This can decrease collagen and elastin production,
leading to sagging and thinning skin, age spots, fine lines, break-outs,
dryness and changes in hair growth. Any exposure to UV, poor diet and stress
earlier in life can also become more apparent. It is important to encourage
cell turnover, for increased clarity and smooth texture. Also of high
importance is to strengthen the skin barrier, retain moisture, tone and firm
(by reinforcing fibres), reduce inflammation, encourage collagen production,
nourish and protect the skin from UV.

Specialised retinol
products are scientifically proven to greatly improve the appearance of ageing
skin, but it is important to discuss the strengths and product options with
your skin specialist to ensure you do not use a product that is too strong for
your skin type. It is also essential to hydrate the skin, not just via drinking
water, but also applying products that impart moisture into the epidermis. Many
people try intense Vitamin A products, but a high concentration of Vitamin A,
when not balanced with other vitamins and essential ingredients, can cause
intense irritation. Professional skin clinicians will be able to help you
tailor make a home-use regime to optimise your anti-ageing daily routine and
look fantastic.

It is quite common for many people to focus on the condition of the skin on the face and neck, but to neglect other, ‘less visible’ areas on the body. This is turn can lead to an patchy appearance, dry, red and uneven pigmented areas. In addition, changes in weight or lack of exercise can contribute towards dimpling and stretch marks. Contrary to popular belief, none of these problems have to be irreversible, and neither do they have to be treated with surgical intervention. It is popular to use non-invasive methods, such as light based treatment, radio-frequency tightening and sculpting as well as a vast array of chemical peels and home-use products for maximum benefits and visibly impressive results. The treatments vary from being completely pain free to individuals experiencing a slight heat and tingling sensation, and most can be done in 20-30 minute sessions, meaning the downtime is minimal (hence they can be done, pre/during work hours if you are based near to a clinic that offers the services).

A healthy skin barrier
requires healthy lipid (natural oils etc) ratios to optimise function. By
repairing the outermost natural protective layer, the function of the skin is
at its best and it protects us from damaging environmental factors whilst
retaining a healthy level of moisture. Targeting different cellular levels, enables
the possibility of repairing fine lines/wrinkles, heal the skin and reduce
visible ageing. Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and keratosis pilaris can
all be improved as well as simultaneously firming the skin, reduce inflammation
and increase collagen production. Some products for the face and body are
formulated differently due to varying amounts of oil glands and absorption
rates in a range of physiological areas such as the eyes, neck, hands and
torso. Many ‘high street’ brands contain large molecules that just ‘sit on the
surface of the skin’ and hence have limited positive effects mid-long term.
Some essential oils (naturally derived oils, frequently from plants) can be
sensitizing so it is important to discuss your skin type with your skin
professional, for example it is possible to have ‘dry skin’ but still suffer
from regular ‘break outs’. Any acne-prone skin can benefit from ingredients
that specialise in the reduction of inflammation, which in turn reduces excess
oil/sebum formation. Some unwanted skin inflammation can be caused and
exaggerated by too much exfoliation (with microbeads and other granules), which
removes surface scale/unevenness, but also some of the healthy skin barrier.
So, before buying your next ‘miracle product’, have an extensive chat with a
professional consultant about your specific needs in order to maximise your
likelihood of ‘turning back the clock’.

The cooler months of the year are an ideal time to get started as the likelihood is that your treatment course will be well underway, possibly even complete, by the time we reach summer – a perfect time to show off your new body.